Your journey to daily gratitude begins with your decision to find something good in every situation.

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Monday, January 31, 2011

Day 443 of Giving Thanks

It wasn’t that long ago, that I saw, an insecure little girl – who was so fearful of so many things – who was the victim in so many circumstances – who fought to smile on the inside – whose opportunities were based on my past. Just a few years ago when I looked in the mirror, I saw the flaws – I saw the painful memories – I saw the disappointment and sorrow in my life – and saw what I was not.

A simple look in the mirror and a sincere look into my heart today brought an entirely different feeling than in years past, and brought tears to my eyes. And, it truly is so hard to believe that the person I stand before as I look in the mirror has changed so much. Physically, I have not changed all that much, however as I look into my eyes, I see a beautiful extension of God and security for that person looking back at me.

What He has created is someone totally different than who I once saw in the mirror.

“How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!” ~Psalm 139:17

My reflection in the mirror is today, not yesterday and not the future. It is in the “here and now”. Stop today and ask God to show you the true reflection of who you are. As I reflect on Him, I see that amazing transformation from the insecure little girl we started with.

“I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.” ~Psalm 3:6

I live out victory every day now, because He conquered everything that needed to be conquered. "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." ~1 Corinthians 15:57

From the inside out, I will smile for everyone to see. “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” ~1 Timothy 1:5

And from the ashes of my past, there is beauty. That is what I see in the mirror today, and as God works “to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” , there is hope beyond measure.